Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

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The world of aviation maintenance rewards a high degree of mechanical aptitude and training. Aviation maintenance technicians are professionals with little margin for error. Your education must be relevant, varied, and specialized. You must have plenty of opportunities to practice your skills before you enter the field.

The Oregon Employment Department forecasts that the employment of aviation mechanics in the Portland area will grow 14.6% through 2027.

Why choose Aviation Maintenance Technology at PCC?

Salary

The Oregon Employment Department reports Portland area aviation service technicians earn from $30.15 to $49.31 per hour. The average annual salary is $85,993.

Since 1969 PCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program has trained high-quality graduates to enter the aviation maintenance profession. Our program offers numerous local resources, federal approval, and a uniquely designed curriculum that enables you to graduate in less than two years.

Our advisory committee, composed of a cross-section of industry professionals, meets semi-annually to reassess our curriculum to assure we are training for employer needs.

Affordable

The total cost for the eight terms of the complete Aviation Maintenance Technology program is very affordable at around $18,000. It is approximately one-third of the cost of many other AMT programs across the nation.

Certified

PCC’s AMT program is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and approved by the Veterans Administration. Our program prepares you to take national exams with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Facility and aircraft

We operate a modern, 26,000 square-foot, two-hangar complex with 15 aircraft used exclusively for AMT instruction, including five helicopters. See a list and photos of our aircraft. Read more about the AMT program’s history.

Degrees and certificates

Degrees and certificates by number of terms to complete
Award Length Financial aid eligible Currently accepting students?
Associate Degree: Aviation Maintenance Technology2 years
Certificate: Aviation Maintenance Technology2 years
Certificate: Aviation Maintenance Technology: Airframe1 year
Certificate: Aviation Maintenance Technology: Powerplant1 year

Locations

What will you learn?

PCC Aviation Maintenance Technology classes are offered in intensive, 90-hour modules. We develop your skills in 45 technical subjects such as:

  • Air conditioning servicing
  • Avionics system troubleshooting
  • Composite structure repairs
  • Corrosion control and painting
  • Electrical and electronic troubleshooting and repair
  • Fire protection system inspection and maintenance
  • Hydraulic and pneumatic repair and testing
  • Interpreting technical data
  • Maintenance and troubleshooting
  • Nondestructive testing
  • Oxygen system servicing
  • Piston and turbine engine maintenance and overhaul
  • Precision measurement
  • Propeller inspection and repair
  • Quality assurance inspection
  • Sheet metal fabrication and repair

What will you do?

PCC prepares you to enter an industry with both local and global career opportunities. As an airframe and powerplant (A&P) rated mechanic, you will be responsible for keeping aircraft in a safe condition to fly by doing the following activities for the airframe, engine and propeller components and systems:

  • Inspection
  • Overhaul
  • Record keeping
  • Repair
  • Servicing
  • Troubleshooting

Who will hire you?

Excellent employment opportunities exist in the Northwest and throughout the U.S. when you become qualified through our program. There are over 200 employers in Oregon alone. You could work for any number of employers, including:

  • Aircraft manufacturers
  • Airlines
  • Corporate aircraft companies
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Government agencies
  • Helicopter operators
  • Military contractors
  • Repair stations

Working conditions for aviation maintenance technicians range from outside, in all types of weather, to inside a climate-controlled shop or hangar. Because you’ll learn a variety of skills in the program, you can also find work in other, non-aviation industries.

Are you an employer looking to hire a PCC Aviation Maintenance student? Learn about posting a job.

Next steps

Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes.Apply now

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